Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-05-06
MIsDIRECTED ENERGY.

While neither assailing nor defending
the method adopted by the Legislature for
the distribution Of the State school books,
because of overshadowing matters of
greater concern regarding the school book
system, we suggest to our vivacious con-
temporary, the San Francisco Post, that its
sensational assaults upon the law come
late. Ii the Post had kept its eyes open 1t
would have been aware of the text and
full meaning of the bill during all the
weeks il was before the Legislature, and it
should then have entered more vigorous pro-
test against il, if it is as unwise as it main
tains il to be- There was demand for some
method additional to that Of the "revolv-
ing fund" for many county authorities
deliberately ignored that law. It>was only
by the exercise of the greatest vigilance,
and the utmost devotion and urgency by
the friends of the new school book system
that the Legislature was prevented from
doing it absolute harm-such was and is
thO INNNI VI tuS JUN pupliSiliNS Syuul-
Gates.
This journal, which well nigh alone
fought the battle for the new system when
considered us an amendment to the Consti-
tuition, and has been watchful of its inter
ests from the outset, will acknowledge no
influence more earnest for the preservation
Of that system. Wherever and whenever
assailed, the REcoRD-UNIoN will be found
defending it. Not all details have been
planned, in carrying it out, that its friends
deemed necessary, but as for minor defects
we are content to put up with much, in
order to secure for the State school
textbooks a full and fair trial. If COM
binations of publishers, the venality of
rings, the unreasoning luminosity of large
class Of teachers, and the cowardly doubt
ing OF weak friends can break down the
system, IL will be done. "There's millions
in it " for the book rings, if the system can
he crushed millions in it for the people
Of California if the system can be main
tanned.
It viii be maintained, if its friends but
stand together. We suggest to our San
Francisco contemporary that the diver
sions, such as its course tends to create are
precisely what the enemies of the system
desire. If all details are not just now to
its liking, let it await the assembling of
another Legislature for their correction
In. the meantime, its energies will be of
greater service to the public if directed in
resistance to the tactics and schemes of the
common enemy. That opponent is in
dustrious in disseminating the idea that
the new textbooks are i'll compiled, below
accepted standards, poorly printed and
worse bound; that the cost to the State
exceeds the revenue from Them and that
the people are paving very dear for the
new whistle. There are paid agents tray
ersing the State scattering abroad these
untruths. At the East the publishers are
diligent in circulating the story that the
whole scheme of textbooks at cost is
lat failure here. The Superintendent of
Schools of our contemporaries own city is
an avowed enemy of the system, and has
grossly assailed and misrepresented it,
Let the Post forgo its side-bar anger,
and unite with the friends of the text
book system in repelling the assaults now
being made upon it front and rear. The
distribution law is the law, and until
new Legislature assemblies it must remain
but the enemies of the whole system from
top to bottom are tireless, and secretly
working TO cultivate sentiment among
the people antagonistic to it. They must
be beaten, exposed and driven back, unless
we are content that the school-book leeches
shall again fasten upon every county and
city Board of Education manipulate local
politics, corrupt our teachers, disburse coin
among officials in bribery, and succeed in
forcing California again to pay half
million Of tribute annually to the Eastern
book syndicatcs.